Dr. Greene’s Answer:
As tempting as it may be to put a pretty crib bumper in your baby’s crib, the use of these bumpers should be avoided. These bumpers can suffocate or strangle an infant; and an enlightening article in the Journal of Pediatrics in September 2007 concluded that crib or bassinet bumpers should not be used due to these serious risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping pillows and other soft objects (including crib bumpers) out of an infant’s sleeping area to prevent the risk of SIDS.

Don’t worry about your baby hitting her head on the sides of the crib. Head bumping is usually not a problem. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has found very little risk of long-term injury from contact with the sides of cribs.

Dr. Greene is the founder of DrGreene.com (cited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Web site”), a practicing pediatrician, father of four, & author of Raising Baby Green & Feeding Baby Green. He appears frequently in the media including such venues as the The New York Times, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, & the Dr. Oz Show.

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